Turkey’s deep-sea drilling vessel Cagri Bey embarked on its maiden international mission to Somalia this week, marking Ankara’s first offshore exploration beyond its own maritime borders. The move signals Turkey’s growing ambitions in global energy markets while boosting Somalia’s hopes for economic revival. 💡
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar called it a "historic moment" during a send-off ceremony in Mersin, revealing the ship will begin drilling at Somalia’s Curad-1 well in April 2026. Escorted by three Turkish naval ships, Cagri Bey—newly added to Turkey’s fleet—is expected to reach Somali waters in 45 days. ⏱️
Somalia’s Petroleum Minister Daahir Shire Mohamed hailed the collaboration as a "new beginning," emphasizing transparent management of natural resources to benefit future generations. 🌱 The mission aligns with Turkey’s goal to produce 500,000 barrels of oil (or equivalent) daily by 2028, with plans to double output through international partnerships.
Analysts say this venture could reshape regional energy dynamics while testing Turkey’s technical capabilities in challenging deep-sea environments. 🔍
